Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

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  Career Profile

Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

What they do

Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.

Also Called: Cloth Cutter, Denim Cutter, Fabric Cutter, Finisher, Glass Cutter, Hand Cutter, Leather Cutter, Offline Cutter, Sample Cutter, Trimmer, Cloth Cutter, Denim Cutter, Fabric Cutter, Finisher, Glass Cutter, Hand Cutter, Leather Cutter, Offline Cutter, Sample Cutter, Trimmer

$28,770
Starting Salary (2023)
$37,040
Median Salary (2023)
-28.2%
Projected Job Growth
7,220
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Cut, shape, and trim materials, such as textiles, food, glass, stone, and metal, using knives, scissors, and other hand tools, portable power tools, or bench-mounted tools.
Mark cutting lines around patterns or templates, or follow layout points, using squares, rules, and straightedges, and chalk, pencils, or scribes.
Mark or discard items with defects such as spots, stains, scars, snags, chips, scratches, or unacceptable shapes or finishes.
Position templates or measure materials to locate specified points of cuts or to obtain maximum yields, using rules, scales, or patterns.
Trim excess material or cut threads off finished products, such as cutting loose ends of plastic off a manufactured toy for a smoother finish.

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Artistic
Conceptual, Creative Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Integrity
Achievement/Effort
Independence

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Time Management
Reading Comprehension
Judgment and Decision Making
Monitoring

Expected Knowledge

Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Common Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

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